v3.0.14.0 - stable

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radio42
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v3.0.14.0 - stable

Post by radio42 »

ProppFrexx ONAIR Version 3.0.14.0 is out!
(Media Library Server v3.0.6.0)

What's New?
  • Rescan Performance of Media Libs optimized
  • ScriptLine LoadFolder option bug-fix
  • New Program Option TryEnsureExactLength added
  • Taskbar-Assistant (re)added
  • Various smaller optimizations
  • Other smaller bug-fixes
  • stable

New Program Option TryEnsureExactLength added
This new feature is the first iteration to ensure an almost exact length of a program (meaning, that a scheduled track ends almost exactly at the end of the program resp. at the start of the next program to avoid unnecessary cut offs of this last track).
A program entry within the Program Scheduler now has a new field called 'Options' where you can specify the new 'TryEnsureExactLength' value. If specified, tracks scheduled at the end time of the program are picked to match the remaining time, so that the last track ends at the given program end time (+/- 1 sec.).

Important: At least this is tried! There are scenarios (due to the nature and flexibility of the script rules, filters and histories as well as based on the list of available tracks being scheduled at that time), where this can not be guaranteed though - see below!

But lets first explain the general concept:
When a track is to be scheduled at the end of the program time AND the current script-line mode is either 'Random', 'LeastTimesPlayed' or 'LeastRecentlyPlayed' the related media library AND optional filter is used to define a list of tracks, BUT instead of using a real random mode to pick a track from that list, the best timely matching track is selected. This is a track, whose effective playtime (considering the cue-in, next or cue-out points) is at least equal or bigger than the remaining time til the program end.

If it is not possible (see Limits below) AND a playlist file has been specified as a 'BridgeTrack' AND the remaining time til the program end is less than the 'Show Program in Advance Time' an automatic filler container will be created, which might consist of one or more tracks out of the bridge playlist file. This filler container will also be tried to match exactly the remaining time til program end (if possible).

Summary:
The 'TryEnsureExactLength' option might enable better timely ending program/script playlists, but there are scenarios where this can not be guaranteed in all cases. In those cases a bridge playlist file might be used to create a filler container.

Conditions:
- only works on script-line modes 'Random', 'LeastTimesPlayed' or 'LeastRecentlyPlayed'
- all tracks should have cue-points already set (so that the effective playtime is know, at least cue-in, cue-out or next)!
- a BridgeTrack file is ignored, except a bridge playlist file is given as a BridgeTrack (use .pfp playlists if possible!)

Limits (when an exact track ending can not be guaranteed):
- no timely matching track is available in the list of possible tracks
- any timely matching track is already contained in the history
- a script-rule prevents a timely matching track to be played
- a concurrent FTE (fix time element) is due to be played
- a script-line with a different mode is used at that time
- a timely track is only picked, if the remaining time til program end is not too large (actually not bigger than factor 1.3 of the average track length of your media lib in question)

Typical program entry settings to be used with the TryEnsureExactLength option are:
- StartType = Soft
- Max. DelayTime = 2 sec.
- Mixing Time = 0 sec.
- Allow Start Early = not checked
- Bridge Track = FillerTracks.pfp

Example 1:
Remaining time til program end is 89 sec.
Current Script-Line: Random, MyLib, Count=1
If the shortest track within 'MyLib' has an effective playtime of 120 sec., this would result in a not exactly ending playlist, as there is no track available which as an effective playtime of 90 sec.!

Example 2:
Remaining time til program end is 89 sec.
Current Script-Line: Random, MyLib, Count=1
The next best timely matching track might have an effective playtime of 95 sec., as such the playlist would not perfectly on time.

Example 3:
Remaining time til program end is 65 sec.
Current Script-Line: Random, MyLib, Count=1
If the global 'Program Start Time' (show in advance) is 70 sec. a given bridge playlist file will be used to create an automatic filler container. So the playlist might end perfectly on time.

Example 4:
Remaining time til program end is 167 sec.
Current Script-Line: Random, MyLib, Count=1
'MyLib' might contain a free track (not violating any history) with an effective playtime of 167 sec., so the playlist might end perfectly on time.

The probability or effectiveness of this feature depends mainly on your media library. If it contains many tracks with almost any effective playtime you will get good results. But if you are using media libraries or filters which result in only a few tracks, this feature will not be of great advantage.

But in the end: This feature can just make things better, but never worse - as it will at least guarantee a minimum playtime of the last track!
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RedPanda
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Re: v3.0.14.0 - stable

Post by RedPanda »

In your examples of remaining time being too short, like 60 seconds, if you have the option to 'start early' for the next program, this should be ok though?
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radio42
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Re: v3.0.14.0 - stable

Post by radio42 »

Sure, but that was the case already and wouldn't ensure an almost exact program end time.
Meaning if you enable the 'Allow Start Early' option and it comes into effect, the next program might start 60 sec. ahead of time.
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RedPanda
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Re: v3.0.14.0 - stable

Post by RedPanda »

Yes that is fine. It's better to have early start than have songs play for 60 seconds and then get cut off. ;)
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inl_inc
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Re: v3.0.14.0 - stable

Post by inl_inc »

TryEnsureExactLength feature works great!!! Thanks Bernd.

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